SeaWorld: Bands, Brew & BBQ will kick off with Alan Jackson, Kid Rock

Singers Alan Jackson and Kid Rock will kick off SeaWorld's Bands, Brew & BBQ Festival, an event upended when several performers backed out in the wake of protests associated with "Blackfish," a documentary critical of the theme park's handling of killer whales.

The theme park announced the additions on Wednesday, three days before the event debuts. Jackson will perform at 5 p.m. Saturday, while Kid Rock will take the stage at the park's Bayside Stadium at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Jackson, a two-time Grammy winner, has topped Billboard's country charts 35 times. Rock's best-sellling album was 1998's "Devil Without a Cause," but he hit the country charts in 2002 with "Picture," a duet with Sheryl Crow.

In November, SeaWorld Orlando announced eight acts for the event. But within a week, Barenaked Ladies announced it had canceled their appearance. Others performers, including Willie Nelson, Cheap Trick, .38 Special, Martina McBride and REO Speedwagon followed suit. Of the original lineup, Justin Moore and Scotty McCreery remain.

The remainder of this year's Bands, Brew & BBQ concert lineup was not revealed. Future performers will be announced during the week before the days they are scheduled to appear. The event will run on Saturdays and Sundays through March 9 as originally planned.

The festival, which is included in regular SeaWorld admission, includes a variety of beers and barbecue for sale.